Brahimi: Algeria focused on huge Russia clash

Algeria midfielder Yacine Brahimi is in no doubt as to the enormity of the match against Russia at the FIFA World Cup.

Brahimi and his countrymen will face Russia in Curitiba on Wednesday knowing a win will cement their spot in the round of 16, while a draw will be enough to advance, unless South Korea inflict a heavy defeat on Group H leaders Belgium.

Algeria have never reached the knockout stages in their previous three appearances at the World Cup finals and Brahimi underlined the historical importance of thei game.

"It is one of the most important matches of my career, it is a match which can write a new chapter in the history of our country, and that is very much in our heads," the Granada man said.

Brahimi was left on the bench in Algeria's opening game of the tournament versus Belgium, which the north Africans lost 2-1, while he started against South Korea on Sunday, scoring the fourth goal in a 4-2 victory.

Striker Nabil Ghilas, who has come off the bench in both of Algeria's games so far, claimed that Vahid Halilhodzic's side remain composed.

"We are serene but also focused," the 24-year-old said.

"We are going to try and achieve a second great result and bring pleasure to the Algerian people."

FFT's resident conspiracy thoerist, Nick Harper, calculates exactly how the 2014 World Cup group stages would and should have panned out had the men in black been on the money. The sound you can hear is straws being clutched...